Discover
For the students and families who attend our presentations for the Discover WVU events in fall 2023, thank you! Here you can find the helpful information, tips, and websites shared during the presentation.
For more information on Discover WVU, visit the Discover WVU Open House website.
Follow the WVU Hub on Instagram, X, or Facebook for scholarship opportunities, money tips, and important reminders that can help students and families stay on track for financial aid, scholarships, billing, and more!
Also see our special Parents webpage that addresses financial aid topics that parents and families often have questions on.
Choose a Topic From the Presentation
What Is the WVU Hub?
Your connection to:
- Student accounts and billing
- Financial aid (including scholarships)
- Federal Work-Study
- Registrar and academic records
Emails are Essential
Emails for student accounts and billing, financial aid and scholarships, and Federal Work-Study are sent from the WVU Hub to students’ WVU MIX email via their WVU Portal. Students can set it up on their mobile devices. It is crucial that students pay attention to notices from the WVU Hub because they could be about financial aid or a balance due.
Students can set their MIX email to forward to their personal email or set it up on their mobile devices. It is crucial that students pay attention to notices from the WVU Hub because they could be about financial aid or a balance due.
How Much Does College Cost?
Estimating College Costs/Cost of Attendance
College costs include those that are charged by the University (billable/direct costs), and those that are not charged by the University, but you may still incur while pursuing your education (non-billable/indirect costs).
- Examples of possible billable/direct costs: tuition, fees, on-campus housing, food, etc.
- Examples of possible non-billable/indirect costs: off-campus housing and food costs, books, personal expenses, etc.
What are Different Ways to Help Pay for College?
Funding Options
- Financial aid offered based on college admission and information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Financial aid that requires separate applications such as external scholarships and credit-based student loans
- Tuition assistance and benefits offered by different organizations to eligible students (third-party sponsorships, veterans benefits, etc.)
- Earnings through student employment (for non-billable/indirect costs only)
- Withdrawals from college savings accounts (529 plans)
- Out-of-pocket payment in full or through monthly payment plan
What Are Common Types of Financial Aid?
Financial Aid Sources
- Federal
- State
- Institutional
- Departmental
- Private
Common Types of Aid
Gift Aid
Self-help Aid
Grants
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid.
- Most grants are based on financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - although some grants also have an academic or merit component.
Scholarships
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid.
- Most scholarships are based on academic merit - although some have a financial need component.
Federal Work-Study
- Part-time employment opportunity.
- Based on financial need determined by the FAFSA (must be submitted by the March 1 priority deadline for the upcoming aid year).
- Does not apply to the balance due; students work and earn paychecks.
Loans
- Borrowed aid from the federal government or private lenders that must be repaid with interest
- Federal student loans up to $5500 per year may be offered to freshmen based on submission of the FAFSA
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (for eligible students)
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- There are also credit-based loans students and parents may apply for from the federal government, institutional, or private lenders that can help with educational costs
- Students/parents are not required to take loans, but if a student needs them to achieve their educational goals and invest in their future, a loan is an option to consider. However, only borrow what you need. Live like a college student while in college to keep debt down as much as possible
How Do You Apply for Federal Aid?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Calculates financial aid eligibility and is required for all federal aid, most state aid and even some institutional and external aid.
- All contributors must create an FSA ID ahead of time on Federal Student Aid website.
- The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available in December 2023 and must be submitted every year. Complete yours on the Federal Student Aid website using 2022 tax information.
- For all academic years after 2024-2025, the FAFSA will open on October 1.
- The priority deadline is March 1, but the sooner the better! Financial aid is a process so students should submit their FAFSA early to allow themselves as much time as possible to go through the process and plan and prepare for the upcoming fall.
- Check with your home state for additional deadlines for state-specific funds.
- Helpful sites:
FAFSA Simplification
- The U.S. Department of Education is implementing new policies and procedures starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA — this process is called FAFSA Simplification.
- If you’ve submitted the FAFSA in the past, you may notice some changes. Visit our FAFSA Simplification webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, and know that the WVU Hub is here to help if you have concerns.
Applying for State Aid
- Research and apply for aid from your state higher education agency (if available).
- West Virginia residents have various scholarship and grant opportunities through the College for West Virginia.
- To be considered for the WV Higher Education Grant, your FAFSA must be submitted by April 15, 2024.
- To be considered for the WV Promise Scholarship, you must complete the Promise application and submit your FAFSA by March 1, 2024.
- Non-residents should contact their state higher education agency to see if there are state aid options that they can use while attending WVU. Find contact information for your state on the U.S. Department of Education State Contacts website.
WVU Scholarships
- Automatic review process after admission. Students must meet June 1 admission deadline for scholarship consideration.
- We super-score for ACT or SAT scores submitted
- Eligible students will be automatically offered the Climb Higher Scholarship (based on high school GPA). For the highest level of this scholarship, it will be based on GPA and SAT/ACT).
- Innovators Scholarship
- Stackable with Climb Higher Scholarship for students admitted to Statler College, Davis College, Chambers College and Reed College programs.
- Renewable for up to 8 semesters
- We super-score for ACT/SAT scores!
- Updated high school transcripts and test scores accepted until June 1 for first-time students
- Visit the First-Time Freshmen Scholarships webpage to estimate your eligibility for Institutional Scholarships.
- You can also learn more about external (private) scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.
Visit our Scholarships webpage for additional scholarship application and deadline information.
Departmental Scholarships
- Scholarships awarded based on program of study
- Some college departments follow the automatic review process (like institutional scholarships), including admission deadlines
- Some college departments require an additional application and have different deadlines
Visit the Departmental or College Scholarships webpage for potential options
External (Private) Scholarships
- Information on departmental scholarship opportunities, third-party or private scholarships, and scholarship search engines can be found on our Scholarships webpage
- There are various scholarship resources students can explore such as:
- High school counselors
- Local businesses
- Alumni associations
- Libraries
- Churches
- Nonprofit organizations
- Scholarship search engines
Scholarship Tips
- Keep applying for scholarships throughout your college journey, not just for freshman year!
- Apply early, often, and for everything! Don’t skip the “small” stuff.
- It is in the student’s best interest to apply for scholarships themselves
- When using a search engine, narrow your search by your major, hobbies, interests, location, heritage, high school and upcoming college enrollment levels (i.e. junior, senior, freshman)
- Beware of scams (requesting Social Security number, fees, guarantees to win)
- Be aware of deadlines (usually early like fall or spring for the following year)
- Think of your search like a job and set aside time each week
- More available on our Tips on Applying for Scholarships webpage
Student Loans
- Federal student loans up to $5,500 per year may be offered to dependent freshmen based on submission of the FAFSA.
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (for eligible students)
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- There are also credit-based loans students and parents may apply for from the federal government or private lenders:
- Federal Parent PLUS Loan
- Private student loans
What Are Some Other Options and Considerations?
What if federal, state, and institutional aid don't cover the student's charges? Visit our Other Funding Options webpage for more options, such as Family Contribution Appeals and our monthly payment plan.
Preparation for Fall 2024
October - November
- Apply and submit high school transcript and/or SAT/ACT scores to Admissions;
- Submit your FAFSA (opened Oct. 1); WV residents submit Promise Scholarship application (opened Oct. 1);
- Begin monitoring your WVU MIX email for updates;
- West Virginia residents submit the Promise Scholarship application
- Apply for external scholarships.
December - February
- Submit your FAFSA on the Federal Student Aid website (opens in December); WV residents submit Promise Scholarship application;
- Monitor your WVU Portal and MIX email account for requirements and financial aid offer;
- Continue applying for external scholarships;
- WV Promise scholars must complete a FAFSA and the Promise application by March 1, 2024;
- For WVU, the priority deadline to submit a FAFSA is March 1, 2024.
For more information, please refer to our Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 webpage.
Contact Information
- Online Assistance
- X
- Phone: 304-293-1988
- Available Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET
- Fax: 304-293-4890
- Mailing: P.O. Box 6004, Morgantown, WV 26506
- The WVU Hub is available in-person by appointment only. Please visit the WVU Hub website for hours and to schedule your appointment.
Locations
Morgantown
Evansdale Crossing (second floor)
62 Morrill Way
Morgantown, WV 26506
Beckley
609 South Kanawha Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Keyser
Administration Building, Room 101
101 Fort Avenue
Keyser, WV 26726